Health District opens appointment-only testing for priority workforce and high-risk residents
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – High-risk Snohomish County residents with symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including those who work in healthcare, public safety or critical infrastructure, now have another option for free testing.
Testing is by appointment only. People who do not have symptoms or do not meet the criteria will not be eligible for testing appointments.
This community based drive-thru testing site is being coordinated by the Snohomish Health District and the Medical Reserve Corps, in partnership with the City of Everett, Everett Public Schools, CHC of Snohomish County, Everett Clinic, Providence Medical Group, Swedish Medical Group, Tulalip Tribes, and Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management.
The testing supplies and laboratory services are made possible by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Only those that meet the criteria below will be eligible to register for testing appointment:
- Experiencing symptoms (cough, fever of at least 100.4, sore throat and/or shortness of breath) AND
- Working in healthcare, public safety, or critical infrastructure like grocery stores, restaurants, shelters, gas stations, public utilities, child care, or correctional facilities OR
- 60 years of age or older OR
- Someone with underlying medical conditions or a weakened immune system OR
- Currently pregnant.
This testing option is not meant to replace or eliminate other testing avenues offered by many local healthcare providers. The goal is to supplement those options in order to ease some of the pressure on the existing system. People still should contact their medical provider for guidance and assessment if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat and/or shortness of breath. For medical emergencies, they should call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19.
REGISTRATION AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS
A website has been set up at https://redcap.link/Snohomish-COVID-19 where people will be asked a series of screening questions and, if they meet testing criteria, will be given an appointment time and a testing identifier number. If there are multiple people who will be coming in the same vehicle to be tested, each of them needs to answer the questions and get an individual number. Instructions on how to register are available here.
Individuals must have an appointment, a testing identifier number and photo ID ready when arriving at the testing site. Results should be available 3-5 days after testing and people will be notified by phone call or text message.
Testing will be in the large parking lot near Everett Memorial Stadium at 3900 Broadway. Vehicles will enter going southbound on Broadway. People who are being tested should arrive 15 minutes before their appointment, and they will remain in their cars the entire time.
Appointments will be opened for one week at a time. For the week of March 23, testing appointments will be Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with appointments in 15-minute time slots. The Health District initially expects to test 180-200 people each day, but hopes to expand days and/or hours soon.
More information also is available at www.snohd.org/drive-thru-testing. The Health District also published an expanded blog on the topic, which is available online and through social media.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUSINESSES/ORGANIZATIONS NOT FOLLOWING THE HEALTH OFFICER’S ORDER
Local law enforcement and 911 dispatch are fielding a number of calls from the community sharing information about businesses or gatherings that are in violation of the Governor’s special order or the local Health Officer’s Order from Dr. Spitters.
Please do not call 911 or police to report these. Concerns about violations can be emailed to the Snohomish Health District at EHQuestions@snohd.org. For callers who don’t have access to email, they can call 425.339.5250. Calls will be answered Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The health and safety of Snohomish County remains the Health District’s top priority. The community is encouraged to help prevent the spread of illness and to support the response to this outbreak by staying informed and sharing reliable information. This is a very fluid situation and information will be updated at www.snohd.org/ncov2019 and the Health District’s social media channels.
Author: Mario Lotmore
